"Arctic Nations To Fight Climate Change Despite Russia Tensions"

"IQALUIT, Nunavut -- The eight Arctic Council nations pledged on Friday to do more to combat climate change that is shrinking the vast frigid region, with countries trying to put aside disputes over issues like Russia's intervention in Ukraine.

Meeting in the Canadian town of Iqaluit, 300 km (200 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States pledged to work to address emissions of black carbon and methane.

Both are seen as particularly harmful to the Arctic, whose sea ice this year was the smallest in winter since satellite records began in 1979, according to U.S. data."

Arshad Mohammed reports for Reuters April 24, 2014.

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"Arctic Council Adopts Framework To Reduce 'Black Carbon,' Methane" (Aljazeera America)